By Kellie Houx, Editor of KC Studio
Shirlee Elliott-Eklofe, the mother of a dancer and a board member of Seamless Dance Theater, realized the cliche is true, “If you build it, they will come.” Elliott-Eklofe didn’t build a baseball diamond, but she started with an idea that might have been considered a diamond in the rough when she dreamt up Project Access, a dance class for special needs children (also known as the Shooting Stars). The class is held at Starstruck Performing Arts Center, run by Erin Novak Lustig, the artistic director of Seamless Dance Theater.
“My younger sister has special needs and I realized that I wanted to find a way to give back to this specific community. I just grabbed hold of the idea after seeing special needs dancers at a summer national events. I contacted several local chapters of Special Olympics. I know how substantial the love of music and dance is with children that have special needs. I knew I had to create a class,” she says. “My mother's influences have also helped shape this vision. It's a passion for me.”
So the gem of an idea started getting polished as Elliott-Eklofe found dancers to volunteer to teach and assist in teaching the class and the University of Kansas teacher Becky Nicholson and her occupational therapy students came in to assist weekly and study. “It is a challenge, but it's clearly a fun challenge. It's also about the families. These children don't always have the opportunities.” The students dance in soft jazz shoes, which are lighter on their feet. Nicholson says many special needs children have less developed muscle control. However, movement therapy can help change that, Nicholson says.
The program kicked off in January. By the first part of May, the small class participated in its first competition. “Donations through individuals have made this work. My goal was to provide costumes, dance shoes and performance fees free of charge. In addition the dance studio provided our space to hold class and the teachers and assistants all gave of their time. So many people were involved in this program and all of the people power here is donated. It is so critical because some of these families have increased medical expenses because of the needs of their children. I wanted to give them something that the children, teens and parents could enjoy.” In early July, the class will perform in the National Showbiz Talent competition. The national finals run July 3-8 at the Overland Park Convention Center.
The class started with six dancers and grew to 12. They range in age from 5 to 14. Elliott-Eklofe had such interest, she actually had to turn interested parents away, but she did encourage them to stay in contact with her. “I am hoping to expand this fall to a class for younger dancers and one for older. We will have to wait and see, but once I got the information out initially, the class filled up fast. I would say that Thursday nights are some of my favorites. I watch the happy interaction of the dancers, the teen assistants and teachers.”
The benefits for the special needs dancers are many. There is socialization. Cognitive and motor skills are improved as the dancers learn how to dance and memorize the specific steps to that dance. “They are in a team atmosphere,” she says. “Special Olympics can provide some of that physical exercise, but not all kids want to participate in Special Olympics. However, dance and music may be the right outlet.”
For some of the parents, the class is not only good for their children, but also good for them. Laura Damewood brings her 9-year-old son Andrew to class each week. She meets up with Stephanie Gustafson and her 7-year-old daughter Janae. Monica Boers brings Megan, 9. Andrew and Janae have Down's syndrome while Megan has Sotos syndrome.
“Andrew's favorite thing to do is dance,” Damewood says. Boers says she appreciates the social part of the class for her daughter. “The participants are different ages so there’s great interaction,” Gustafson says. “"They have become a little family outside of the traditional family,” Damewood says.
The children are involved in other activities, but all the mothers want to see their children stay with dance as long as possible. They appreciate Elliott-Eklofe and Nicholson for their support to the class. “I don't think Janae would be in a regular dance class, but it’s big that we have found the right place. It's acceptance.” Boers says, “As parents, we also can relate to each other. We know what we have gone through.” Damewood says the parents have also added each other as friends.
Teen helper Haley Jennison, 16, has danced since she was 3. “I am obsessed with these kids. I love them. I have loved all forms of dance and have participated in them all. I know the joy I get. While this is my first time to work with special needs kids, I think it is really giving me ideas as to what I want to do when I am older.” For older teacher Tarrah Bossert, 19, that is exactly what she is doing. Not only does she help teach the class, she is studying early childhood education at Park University. “It's an extra bonus to be here. My mom taught so I have spent time with special needs students, but teaching them dance just makes my day.”
Teacher Caleb Eklofe, 18, sums up the experience of the dancers, teachers, assistants and parents. “It’s as much fun for me as it is for the kids. Everyone gains. I may not come in with the best mood, but I find a good mood so fast when I am teaching. It's made me a better and more patient person and teacher. Everyone's self-esteem has improved, not just the students, but the teens too.”
